Improvement in ink-wells



-Patented Feb.18,1873.

KIDDER.

ink-Wells.

WITNESSES.- f

UNITED STATES PATENT Omen.

AND GILBERT E. HOOD, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN INK-WELLS Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 136,069, dated February 18, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES H. KIDDER, of Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State 3 of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ink-Wells; and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying plate of drawing.

This invention relates to certain improvements in inkstands; and it consists in arranging, in an ink-well, a chamber for receivinga quantity of mercury, or its equivalent liquid, and combining therewith an ink-spout and an ink-regulating mechanism, the construction of which will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying plate of drawing my improvement in ink-wells is illustrated, Fig ures 1 and 2 being each a central vertical section of an ink-well constructed for the use of mercury or equivalent liquid, under this invention.

A in the drawing represents an ink-well or fountain, in the present instance shown as of a cylindrical shape; but it may be made of other forms. B is a nozzle or opening for filling or emptying the ink-well, this nozzle belar part, D, terminating atone end in a fun nelpart, E. In both of the figures, 1 and 2, the spout O in its length is provided with a concentric flange or rim, G, that is parallel to its length; and in Fig. 1 is directly at and secured to the under side of the funnel-part E; and in Fig. 2, to the lower end of the spout by and through the connecting-plate or dish H, in which are holes I. For receiving the concentric flange G, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there is located within the ink-well an annular chamber or space, I, that is concentric with the opening K in the top of. the well This chamber I in both instances is made by concentric walls a and l), which, in Fig. 1, are fastened to the under side of the top of the ink-well, andin Fig. 2 to the upper side of the bottom of the ink-well. The bottom of the annular space I is in both cases closed, and the space I is for the-reception of mercury.

With mercury in the space I, and a tubular spout, 0, located therein, as shown in Figs. 1

and 2, if the spout G be depressed the ink can be forced up through the tube of the spout into its funnel end, and thus above its level within the body of the ink-well, because of the heavier specific gravity of the mercury as compared with the ink;- and furthermore, because of the compression of air within the ink-well through the upper wall of its flange G, from the downward movement of the tube. The ink thus being forced up into the ink-spout c, to hold it there it is necessary that means be provided to secure the spout from being carried upward--that is, back to its normal position.

In Fig. 1, the spout is provided at or near its outer end with a projecting edge, f, and ink-well top with a convex flange, g, so that when the spout is down, by simply tipping it to bring its edge f under the flange or lip y, it will be restrained from an upward movement. In Fig. 2, the hole It in ink-well top through which the spout 0 passes is suitably packed, to give sufficient friction to restrain the upward movement of the inkspout, while it will afford no hindrance to its depression. In

Fig. 1 the ink-well is made air-tight by the mercurial joint in annular space I.

To insert the ink-spout constructed as in Fig. 2, it is necessary to have an opening throughthe top of the ink-well sufficiently large to pass its concentric flange G in, and

then this opening to be suitably closed; as,

for instance, as shown by a plug or stopper, M.

In lieu of the particular construction herein described to hold the ink-spout from an upward rise, other constructions may be employed; as, for instance, the spout may be arranged to screw in and out of a seat upon the ink-well; and it is not intended to limit the invention to any particular construction in this respect.

Having thus described my invention, I shall state my claim as follows:

An ink-well provided with a chamber, I,

for receiving a quantity of mercury or its equivalent liquid, in combination with an ink-spout and an ink-regulating mechanism,

substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

The above specification of my improvement in ink-wells signed by me this 30th day of May, A. D. 1872.

Witnesses: JAMES H. KIDDER.

J. E. REJNDALL, O. W. SYLVESTER. 

